Filter unit for vacuum cleaners



Feb 27, 1951 E. P. SENNE FILTER UNIT FOR VACUUM CLEANERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 15, 1948 7 r/H P a FIGJ I Fig.4.

/NVENTOR.

EDGAR P. 5ENNE )(lz/maovuq" ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 27', 1951 E. P. SENNE FILTER UNIT FOR VACUUM CLEANERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 15-, 1948 INVENTOR.

EDGAR R JENNE *7 77 Patented Feb. 27, 1951 S PATENT OFHCE 2,543,556 FILTER .UNlT FOR VACUUM CLEANERS Edgar P. Senn, Rockville Centre, N. Y.

Application May 15, 1948, Serial No. 27,277

1i Glairns. 1

job of emptying vacuum cleaners or other air filtering machines of their accumuated dirt content. It contemplates particularly a new and improved fi ter bag unit or like dirt extractor unit especially ada table to the more convenient performance of this job in domestic vacuum cleaner practice wherein there is an especial need for a unit adapted to the frequent, sanitary and labor saving removal of accumulated dirt. To that end, it has, for its general object, the provision of 9. preferably expendable unit which may be shipped, stored and vended in multi-unit cartons and in the form of a neat compact cartridge containing a .prefclded filter bag; which may be quickly and conveniently inserted in the manner of a cartridge bodily within a machine with a minimum of manual effort; and whichwi l be opened automatically and the filter bag unfolded by air now in the machine to enlarge the filter bag to its maximum capacity. Preferably the unit is of a material inexpensive enough that it may be completely dispensed with after use, thereby avoiding the insanitation and other inconveniences of reuse.

The usefulness of .a unit of this character will be apparent when. one reflects on the inconveniences (especially in the housewifes eve) of presently available filter mechanisms. Heretofore, such have ordinarily consisted-of open-ended bags of muslin or other suitable fabric which 'mu be inserted in somewhat open and loose :form in the machine, and which, for removal of dirt, are removable from the casing in which they are normally held. They are designed to have a long life and to be used over and over again. But because of all these characteristics they have numerous disadvantages, probably the foremost of which is the fact that they are insan for handling by the operator which, of se. is not only dangerous to the health but te unpleasant. Furthermore, in addition sk. of tearing in the case of paper bags, the insertion of cumbersome bags of this type in the machine requires tedious, inconvenient "consuming manipulations which could eri usly simplifie Now, I have visualized that what the art really needs by Way of an improvement of this situation is a cartridge like filter bag unit which contains a prefolded or collapsed filter bag in the manner of aparachute in a protective retaining cover or 'shell. Such -a unit cou d be packaged and vended over the counter in the form of a completely prepacked cartridge and would preferably be rigid enough that, unlike the cumbersome conventional filter bags of loose cloth or paper, the housewife could insert it quickly and easily within a vacuum cleaner with no more effort than is required to grasp the cartridge with one hand and thrust it bodily into the machine. It would be so constructed that after insertion the machine wou d automatically unpack the cartridge and expand the filter bag by the pressure of the normal air flow until it assumed its normal operating position-this all without any further attention of the operator. When the bag became filled with accumulated dirt the housewife would need only .to remove it bodily in a sealed condition, discard it completely and sanitarily, and thereafter replace it with a completely fresh cartridge.

Such a cartridge would bear the same relation to the vacuum cleaner prior art as the modern gun powder cartridge bears to the long obsolete practice of pouring loose powder into a gun and packing it with a ram rod. It would have the mit its convenient shipment, storage and vending in small multi-unit cartons which would also serve as a convenient source point for the house- Wife-user. It would even lend itself to storage as a spare within a suitable compartment within-the machine. Moreover, it will be particularly useful in vacuum cleaners of the automatic filter bag replacement type such as those which I have disclosed and claimed in my copending applicatienSeria-l No. 719,060, filed December v28, 1946, now U. S. Patent 2,532,642 issued Decemher 5, .1950.

In the following specification and drawings, 1. have described by way of examples a variety (if-constructions which will accomplish the purpose and which will afford a better understanding of the nature of the invention together with its objects and advantages.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a cross section through a portion of the intake end of a vacuum cleaner showing (alcartridgefilter bag unit of my invention inserted in place and ready .to be inflated;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a dirt extractor according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlargement of a portion of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a dirt extractor according to my invention as the same would appear after insertion over the end of the intake manifold of a vacuum cleaner, illustrating the manner in which the rubber curtain is parted;

Fig. is a cross section of a vacuum cleaner showing the bag fully inflated within the bag compartment of the cleaner; and

Figs. 6 through 11 show a variety of cartridge type units both in their collapsed and inflated positions, the collapsed position figures representing the commercial form in which the cartridges would be shipped, packed, and vended to the domestic user.

The dirt extractor unit [9 according to the Figs. 1 through 5 embodiment of the invention may comprise a retainer means such as supporting shell H and an end member I3 preferably of stiff material such as cardboard having an orifice [2 in the member l3. As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, this orifice is preferably circular, in order to engage the circular end of the intake manifold described below. It may, however, be of any suitable shape designed to engage the intake manifold. The orifice l2 may conveniently be provided with a metal rim 20 to afford stiffness.

It may be observed at this point that the shell ll may serve the dual function of retaining and protecting the filter bag to be described below against accidental tearing (especially if it be paper), and acting as an instrument for the handy insertion of the unit into the machine. It will be understood that a variety of constructions whetherclosed, semi-closed or of fairly open networks, whether rigid or semi-rigid, will do the job. All such I have included in the term retainer or like expressions.

Secured to member I 3 are two thin sheets l4 and I5 of rubber, stitched or glued to the member l3 around the marginal edges of orifice l2,

which lie in the same plane with their edges touching along a line which is substantially a diameter of the opening 12. The two sheets of rubber I4 and I 5 form a resilient or yieldable curtain extending across and closing the orifice !2. This curtain remains in position until the dirt extractor is engaged with the end of the intake manifold as set forth below. It may, of course, take numerous other forms such as a camera like shutter actuated by a spring or rubber band to closed position.

Within the supporting shell H is folded an open-mouth collapsible air-permeable dirt-filtering bag I6 with its open mouth secured to shell H by stitches IT or by gluing in such manner that the mouth of the bag is in registry with the orifice l2. The bag may be made of muslin or other suitable fabric or it may be made of airpermeable paper of suitable density. Bag I6 is, prior to inflation, compactly folded in any suitable manner so as to be protected by shell II. The rear end of shell I! may have fitted therein a stopper I8, of cardboard, frictionally secured within the projecting edges of shell H and this stopper may, if desired, be glued to the bottom of bag l6. Stopper 8 is fitted in the rear end of shell II in such manner as to be dislodgable by air pressure, and thus to permit the bag to be inflated through the rear end of the extractor Ill, as shown in Fig. 5. The size of the bag is such that, when inflated, it will approximately fill the spaced provided for it in the vacuum cleaner."

Alternatively, stopper !8 may be omitted, the bottom of the bag serving as the end member of the extractor prior to inflation. In this case, the bag is packed in the extractor in such manner that it will not ordinarily be dislodged except by air-pressure at the time of inflation.

In utilizing a dirt extractor of the type set forth above, the same is inserted within a vacuum cleaner in such manner that the orifice l2 thereof is slipped over and is securely held in engagement with the projecting lip I9 of the intake manifold 28. Preferably, the projecting lip E9 of the intake manifold 28 is provided with an annular ridge 2| over which metal rim 2!] of orifice I2 is forced and which secures it, and the extractor, in position. The arrangement is such that lip l9 penetrates orifice l2 to an extent suificient to distort the rubber sheets I and [5 from a position adjacent the plane of end member [3 to the depressed position indicated at 2?. in Fig. 3. The length of the projecting lip I9 of the intake manifold, and the thickness and tension of the rubber sheeting material 4 and i5, is so adjusted and proportioned that when the extractor is forced over the ridge 2| to its seated position as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, substantially increased tension is set up in the rubber sheet material, causing the two sheets I4 and i5 to separate along the line which divides them and to assume an open position as shown in Fig. 4. In this open position, the edges of the rubber sheet offer no substantial impediment to the flow of air through the intake manifold and, in this position, the intake manifold 28 is effectively connected with the open mouth of the folded bag It, ready for infiation of the latter.

When current is supplied to the motor and fan unit 23, pressure is reduced within the body of the vacuum cleaner and external air tends to move through the intake manifold 28 in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figs. 1 and 5. This movement of air causes bag It to expel stopper it! from the rear end of shell H or, if no stopper is used, to escape through the rear opening. When the bag is thus released, it inflates through the open rear end of the shell until it occupies the bag compartment of the cleaner substantially as shown in Fig. 5. While the bag remains in the latter position, and until it has become filled with dirt, dirt-laden air passes through the intake manifold and into the bag, deposits its dirt in the bag, passes through the walls of the bag and through holes 24 of diaphragm 25, and is thence expelled by the motor and fan unit 23 through the exit vent 26 of the cleaner.

When the bag has become filled with dirt, and it is desired to replace it with a fresh dirt ex tractor, front end plate 2? of the cleaner is released from shell 29 of the cleaner, in the usual manner, thus exposing the bag. Orifice E2 of the extractor is then manually removed from its position in engagement with the projecting lip is of the intake manifold. Upon such removal the tension upon rubber sheets M and i5 is released and they return to their original position (shown in Fig. 2) serving as an effective curtain 'or barrier across orifice l2, tending to prevent dirt from falling out of the bag during subsequent handling.

t is contemplated that the bag, whose open end thus becomes effectively closed upon its removal from the vacuum cleaner, may then be disposed of without emptying.

The invention here disclosed is not dependent upon the shape or configuration of the dirt exs tractor itself; which. other-wiseincmss: section and: whose inlet orifice ['2 maybe: of: any'suitable. shape) (round. or: otherwise): which. is suitable: to. enable. it to fit with snfiicienip' tightness upon the projecting; end IQ of; the: intake manifold. There may even. be; a plurality of: such orifices permitting the entry of air'at several; points The OIifiDEREZt-thj rearward or opposite end of shell ll may likewise. be of any suitable or: appropriate; shape, its only requirement being that it: shall. afford sufiicient opening toapermit thcrbag to: be: forced out of; the shell ill and to be; inflated. throughtheir-esulting orifice at theiba-clsof the shell, while the. edges of. the mouth. of the-1 bag. remainseeuredtor the shell.

Alternatively; other andequivalentmeansmay be employed. to form: a: resilient, or. yieldahl'e curtain. across; orifice: IL and; other equivalent means'may/be employed to secure orifice 12 in suitable engagement with; the intake manifold while the extractor: is; in place;

IntheFigs; 6; through llinclusive, Iihaveillustrated several alternative forms of the invention; the Figs; 6,..8 and-=10. each: illustrating three different' possible forms as they would appear." in commerce, that. is,- as they would be shipped, stored, and vended. tothe ultimate user, and ready for insertion within the machine: while in the Figs. 7," 9 and 11, I. have-illustratedthe corresponding" forms in: the. position. which: they would take inznormaf usage'within: a vacuum" cleaner appropriately designed to; accommodate them.

Referring first: to: the. Fig; 6,- the unit there shown is generally cylindrical in form... For example, it might comprisea cardboard shell. 3.!) corresponding-rte theushell l'l of'Figr-lrandhaving an end wall 31 including an orifice: 32 constructed likeorifice I12 of Fig. 1 and adaptedtoifitiovcr some'form of'vacuum cleaner: intake manifold. It will be notedthat a filter bag33 of paper oriotlrer suitable material is compactly folded within the shell 39 and retained therein by the rim 34 corresponding to'tharim 3:! of Fig: 8' tube discussed hereinafter. Itwill be readily apparent to examination that the; structure illustrated by Fig; 6 constitutes a. neat compact cartridge readily adapted to convenient commercial and domestic handling. It dinersfrom: the 1 substantially only in that. the orifice 32. is somewhat? smaller which will; tendto: minimize the. leakage of accumulated dirt from the orifice for the situation when no sealing means is employed: correspondingto theshe'ets land t of the Figs. lthrough 5 embodiment; and in. that rim 34 performs the function: of'stopper L8;

The Eig. 7 illustrates the. cartridge. oft"F!ig.-. 6 in its expanded" form corresponding to. that. of

To -illustratean" alternative shape; there is shown in the Fig: 8:. still" another embodiment in which the filter" ba 35' is compactly folded within' a generally" parallelepiped shaped" shell 36 having: a smalli retaining edge or rim: 3'! around the one open side thereof from which the. filter it: may be; positionediin. thafront-walh much; in

may be;- round. on square or 6, theazmanner' of'the Fig. 6 and conversely that the orifice: 32; i-nthe Fig. 6. modification. may be positioned alternatively within the cylindrical wall of the. shell 30.

Likeli'ig. '7, the Fig; 9 shows the Fig. 8 embodiment in; its open form as thesame would: ocour in normal usage. within the vacuum cleaner.

In the Fig. 10, there. is illustrated still another form. comprising a cylindrical shell 39 having end walls to) and 4!, the former of'whi'ch is providedwith. an intake aperture 42 corresponding to the. aperture 32 of Fig. 6 and the aperture 38 of Fig. 8. It differs from the foregoing embodiments, however, in that the filter bag 4311s adapted when. expanded to be. forced out of longitudinal aperture 44 in the cylindrical side wallof the: shell 39. Thus, when positioned within a machine and expanded it will assume. some. such form as indicated by the Fig; 11'.

It is believed thatit will be readily apparent just how the embodiments herein illustrated will adapt themselves to the objects and usages set forth at the beginning of this specification. It will be apparent, for example, that any one of the devices in its collapsed form will constitute a convenient cartridge. unit which may be grasped by the operator in one hand and inserted within: the: machine with utmost convenience; that it" may be; removed with equal facility and replaced by'a similar: unit; and that in general the collapsed prepacked cart-ridge will constitute an extremely handy itemof commerce for the usages of? the; vacuum. cleaner art. It will be understood, of. course,v that while I have contemplated. and. illustrated primarily units of the expendable; or dispensable type, the. basic principle of the invention. maybe adapted equally well to unit of the non-dispensable type.

I. claim:

1. A replaceable dirt extractor for use in vacuum cleaners and like filtering mechanisms consisting of a container of cardboard and the like, said container having two openings facing each other: at opposite ends thereof with the axes of said openings coinciding with each other and with an axis of the container, an open-mouth air-permeable dirt filtering bag compactly folded" within said container with its open mouth secured in register with one of said openings, and a closure of cardboard and the like frictionally fitted within the other opening of the container-and adapted, when air pressure is applied through the" mouth of the bag, to be dislodged and thereby to release the bag for inflation through the second-mentioned opening.

2. As an article of manufacture, a compact cartridge-like filter unit for vacuum cleaners comprising a retaining shell having first and second openings and containing a collapsed air permeable filter bag alfixed to said shell and having an air inlet orifice in registry with said first opening, said shell having rim-like means about said second opening holding'said filter bag against dislodgment from said shell durin normal handling thereof prior to use but: being incapablefof; preventing dislodgment of the main body'of said. filter bag when said filter bag expands: as'hereinafter' indicated, said shell being so constructed and arranged as to be attachable 'bodily. to a vacuum cleaner air filtering mechanism such that said first opening. and air inlet orifice are in the path ofair to be filtered, said. bag being: so constructed and arranged as to berinfiatabla by: air; to. be. filtered to the extent that the main body thereof is expanded out of said second opening to form an enlarged dirt collectin member.

3. A dirt extractor comprising a supporting shell having an orifice at each end, an openmouth air-permeable dirt-filtering bag compactly folded within said shell with its mouth secured thereto in registry with one of said orifices, resilient means normally forming a closure for said orifice and adapted to be opened when the shell is in dirt-receivin position, and means adjacent the other orifice of the shell adapted normally to retain the folded bag within the shell and, upon application of air pressure, to release the bag for inflation through said second-mentioned orifice.

4. A replaceable dirt extractor for use in vacuum cleaners and like filtering mechanisms consisting of a container of cardboard and the like, said container having two openings facing each other at opposite ends thereof with the axes of said openings coinciding with each other and with an axis of the container, an open-mouth air-permeable dirt-filterin bag compactly folded within said container, said bag being so arranged that it substantially completely fills the space within the container with the body portion of the bag wedged against and protected and secured in place by the walls of the container against accidental dislodgment there-- from, the open mouth of the bag being secured in register with one of said openings and its body-portion disposed adjacent the other of said openings, and a divided curtain of thin sheets of rubber mounted to form normally a closure for said first-mentioned opening and adapted to be parted for admission of air to the mouth of the bag when the container is in dirt-receiving position.

5. A replaceable dirt extractor for use in vacuum cleaners and like filtering mechani ms consisting of a container of cardboard and the like, said container having two openings facing each other at opposite ends thereof with. the axes of said openings coinciding with each other and with an axis of the container, an open-mouth air-permeable dirt-filtering bag compactly folded within said container with its open mouth secured in register with one of said openings and its body-portion disposed adjacentthe other of said openings, a divided curtain of thin sheets of rubber mounted to form normally a closure for the first-mentioned opening, and a closure of cardboard and the like frictionally fitted within the second-mentioned opening and adapted, when air pressure is applied through the mouth of the bag, to be dislodged and thereby to release the bag for inflation throughsaid second-mentioned opening.

6. As an article of manufacture, a compact cartridge-like filter unit for vacuum cleaners comprising a collapsed dirt filter, a retainer packaging and holding said collapsed filter against dislodgment therefrom during normal handling prior to use and having an opening through which the main body of said filter may be dislodged by air pressure therewithin from said retainer during use, means included in said unit at least partially closing said opening to prevent dislodgment of said filter from said retainer durin normal handling prior to use but permitting dislodgment of the main body of said filter when said filter expands as hereinafter indicated, said retainer bein so constructed and arranged that said unit is insertable bodily within a vacuum cleaner withsaid filter in position to filter the normal air fiow therethrough, said ter being so constructed and arranged that during use said filter may be expanded by air flow through said cleaner and filter from its collapsed condition out of said opening to the extent that the main body thereof is extended out of said retainer to form an enlarged dirt-collecting filter.

'7. As an article of manufacture, a compact cartridge-like filter unit. for vacuum cleaners comprising a collapsed dirt filter having an air inlet orifice, a retainer packaging and holding sa d collapsed filter against dislodgment therefrom during normal handling prior to use and having an opening through which the main body of said filter may be dislodged by air pressure therewithin from said retainer during use, means included in said unit at least partially closing said opening to prevent dislodgment of said filter from said retainer during normal handling prior to use but permitting dislodgment of the main body of said filter when said filter expands as hereinafter indicated, said retainer bein so constructed and arranged that said unit is insertable bodily within a vacuum cleaner with said filter inlet orifice in position to receive the normal air flow therethrough, said filter being affixed to said retainer by the portions thereof defining said inlet orifice but being so constructed and arranged that durin use said filter may be expanded by air flow through said cleaner and filter from its collapsed condition out of said opening to the extent that the main body thereof is extended out of said retainer to form an enlarged dirt-collecting filter. 8. As an article of manufacture, a compact cartridge-like filter unit for vacuum cleaners comprising a collapsed filter bag, a retainer packaging and holding said collapsed filterv bag against dislodgment therefrom during normal handling prior to use and having an opening through which the main body of said filter bag may be dislodged by air pressure therewithin from said retainer during use, a stopper aifixed to said retainer at least partially closing said opening and holding said filter bag within said retainer with sufficient force to prevent dislodgment of said filter bag from said retainer through said opening during normal handling of said unit prior to use but exerting insufiicient force against said bag to prevent dislodgment of the main body of said filter bag when said filter bag expands as hereinafter indicated, said retainer being so constructed and arranged that said unit is insertable bodily within a vacuum cleaner with said filter bag in position to filter the normal air flow therethrough, said filter bag being so constructed and arranged that during use said filter bag may be expanded'by air fiow through said cleaner and filter bag from its collapsed condition out of said opening to the extent that the main body thereof is extended out of said retainer to form an enlarged dirtcollecting member.

9. An article as in claim 8 in which said stopper comprises a member frictionally engagin the walls of said retainer definin said opening.

10. An article as in claim 8 in which said stopper comprises a rim on said retainer around said opening.

11. As an article of manufacture a compact cartridge-like filter unit for vacuum cleaners comprising in combination, a collapsed filter bag, a retainer packaging and holding said collapsed bag against dislodgment therefrom during normal handling prior to use and having an opening through which the main body of said bag may be dislodged by air pressure therewithin from said retainer during use, dislodgment inhibitin means for said bag frictionally engaging the walls of said retainer with suflicient force to hold said bag within said retainer against dislodgment through said opening during normal handling prior to use but with insuiiicient force to prevent dislodgment of the main body of said bag when said ba expands as hereinafter indicated, said retainer being o constructed and arranged that said unit is insertable bodily within a vacuum cleaner with said bag in position to filter the normal air flow therethrough, said bag being so constructed and arranged that during use said ba may be expanded by air flow through said cleaner and bag from its collapsed condition out of said opening 10 to the extent that the main body thereof isextended out of said retainer to form an enlarged dirt collecting filter.

EDGAR P. SENNE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

